For most of U.S. history, presidents since George Washington have been unwavering in the use of their clemency power. They understood their actions not only as a way to remedy overly harsh sentences but also to help restore public faith in the justice system.

President Joe Biden now has a chance to use his clemency powers to secure – and, in some ways, correct ‒ his legacy on criminal justice reform.

The Biden administration has made it clear that cannabis reform, especially as a racial justice issue, is a priority and one that will energize the electorate. Nevertheless, the president has only granted 1.4% of submitted clemency petitions.

Biden has not freed anyone in prison for cannabis crimes

Despite positive use of his clemency powers like providing record relief to almost 13,000 people with his expanded categorical pardons for cannabis possession, President Biden has failed to release a single person in prison for cannabis via commutation.

Read the full article at USA Today.